After criticism, Colin Kaepernick puts on a 49ers hat

Colin Kaepernick has put on a 49ers hat. Perhaps we’re going to have to find something new to talk about during the slowest point of the offseason.

Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback who raised the ire of fans and commentators by posting a picture of himself on Instagram wearing a Dolphins hat, has now posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing a 49ers hat, in an attempt to put the issue to rest.

Kaepernick is right that wearing a Dolphins hat hurt nobody, and this whole episode probably would have gone unnoticed if it weren’t early July, when NFL fans and media are looking for anything to talk about. Still, the fact that he felt the need to respond to the whole controversy shows how seriously fans take their favorite players and their favorite teams. San Francisco fans want to see Kaepernick in a 49ers hat, not a Dolphins hat. And now they can.

I actually think this is a chink in the armor with this guy and possibly a sign of immaturity. It’s a bad decision- and if he couldn’t recognize that when he put the hat on, and then also went on a rant to defend himself then that would concern me.

I can’t think of any other “elite” QB’s who would think this was a good idea. QB’s are the face of the franchise and the business- I would be pissed if I were the owner and my main guy is sporting another teams gear within the same league. It’s amature hour if he doesn’t get that.

greyhawk9 says:Jul 9, 2013 7:55 AM

this guy is such a TOOL

vibesid says:Jul 9, 2013 7:56 AM

This guy has more tattoos than Hernandez. Plus his grammar is pathetic. Did he go to college?

Either has properly spoken English. You would think college educated people would know how to spoke . Did I say that right ? LOL

ninerfan81 says:Jul 9, 2013 8:02 AM

Remember folks, this is still a very young man…the hat thing is blown out of proportion. I will say this, If it were me I’d never wear another NFL team’s hat regardless of “swag”. Just as long as he doesnt take his talents to south beach I’ll get over it.

Wearing a dolphins hat was at best badly underestimating his importance as an nfl starting quarterback,

Posting a picture of said hat stating that he’ll continue to wear whatever he so pleases is just plain stupidity and lack of maturity, if he wants to be taking seriously he’ll need to drop the “swag” attitude,

There’s a reason Brady, Manning, Rodgers etc are unquestioned leaders and extremely successful quarterbacks and why there’s so many Michael Vicks, capable of greatness but unwilling to dedicate their lives to it, Kap went to the Super Bowl on the back of his running, one of the best defenses, one of the best offensive lines and best receiving groups, fact!

If I came to the office wearing a competitors log golf shirt or jacket, my employer would most likely have a problem with it.

ridingwithnohandlebars says:Jul 9, 2013 8:11 AM

Harbaugh was probably giving him the silent treatment until he put on a 49ers hat.

fin72 says:Jul 9, 2013 8:12 AM

“It’s just swag it ain’t never hurt nobody!”
________________________

Since when did this guy become so ghetto? Whoever the writer was that said he didn’t look like a NFL QB with all the tats and everything is 1100% right. Looks like this guy is going to become a major head case who can’t handle all the responsibilities and pressures that come with his position.

ebr362 says:Jul 9, 2013 8:12 AM

My bet is Colin was/is a Dolphin fan prior to being drafted by the niners. Team fandom is hard to break, but that doesn’t mean he is not loyal to the niners. Also, the pic of him wearing and the one holding the Dolphin cap are two different caps.

Should a Pepsi guy wear a Coke hat to his interview? It’s stupid. As a team leader, would I wear the hat of my competition to inspire my team? No, it’s stupid. Everyone’s right except Colin on this one.

It doesn’t hurt anybody that’s true. I think of it this way though. If you’re in a high profile position at some corporation like say Gatorade you aren’t gonna be seen wearing Powerade merchandise. It’s just kind of stupid on his part to wear and thereby passively promote the brand of a competitor, but ultimately it’s just sports – not a huge deal.

Why is this getting chalked up to ‘it’s July so there is little to talk about and this wouldn’t be a big deal otherwise’?

If this were mid November it would be just as big of a deal. Maybe bigger.

kingmj4891 says:Jul 9, 2013 8:28 AM

Looks like a gang banger in that picture not an NFL QB.

ajkrauter02 says:Jul 9, 2013 8:28 AM

Ya know what’s sad…? He and almost all other players in the NFL got a free ride to college and yet, their English is still horrific. “Ain’t never hurt nobody”?? Seriously? Wish I could make millions by being a complete idiot.

He’s paid good money to play for, and represent, the 49er organization. He’s the new face of the franchise, so I think it is fair to question his decision making ability when he chooses to wear the hat of a rival team, which the Dolphins are, despite being in a different conference.

I love all the people who try and blow this off by saying “oh hes young, it doesnt mean anything!”. If this was Cam Newton who wore a different teams hat and gave that arrogant 5 year old repsonse, he would be getting destroyed.

I love all the people who try and blow this off by saying “oh hes young, it doesnt mean anything!”. If this was Cam Newton who wore a different teams hat and gave that arrogant 5 year old repsonse, he would be getting destroyed.

modhairken says:Jul 9, 2013 8:40 AM

He’s a spoiled prima donna. He thinks he is above everyone and can do what he wants. Bad parenting. Bad coaching. Aaron Hernandez without the gun. Stupid tattoos, stupid tweets. He’ll be out of the NFL in 3 years. SF will never win the SB with him.

Kaz says:Jul 9, 2013 8:40 AM

That “swag” is what happens when you get crowned the future after starting only 10 games. It’s really a shame how quick fans and the media are in this age to crown players. Can they prove themselves for 2-3 years at least? Such a microwave society we live in now.

Joemontanaflacco says:Jul 9, 2013 8:40 AM

From trying to put a trademark on kissing biceps to this — CK is proving to be a leading candidate for the poster child of our shallow times. What’s next? Knocking up a Kardashian? This kid needs to read a book or something. Poor Jim Harbaugh. His brother has the classiest QB in the league and he’s stuck with Roethlisbooger’s latest competition.

“Should a Pepsi guy wear a Coke hat to his interview? It’s stupid. As a team leader, would I wear the hat of my competition to inspire my team? No, it’s stupid. Everyone’s right except Colin on this one.”

This is a generation full of soft and weak-minded people. I mean really? I understand the whole stick to your team part but what he did was just for style not because he is a Dolphins fan! This is pathetic, people need to get a life. Get over it people!

I’m really over the word swag. I purposely will go out of my way to avoid having to go to one of my employers competitors and I make 40k a year.

spikeit2times says:Jul 9, 2013 9:07 AM

You people who are talking about wearing this or that to work or interviews are completely over dramatizing the occurance. CK wasn’t wearing the dolphins cap to work … the season hasn’t started yet. It’s not like he wore a Dolphins helmet during a game. Give me a break and stop with fuggin drama!

My guess? He had a good long “chat” with his head coach and suddenly had a change of heart on the whole matter.

cowboysallday says:Jul 9, 2013 9:12 AM

He should of just worn another hat from another team. Screw what jaws and herm say!

stellarperformance says:Jul 9, 2013 9:16 AM

You know, I just like to see players do the right thing. The fans spend a lot of money on their hero-worship and it is pointless for a player to tweak a fan unneccessarily. The young players oftentimes seem to feel they have to convey an attitude, but that gets tiresome real fast. Just do the right thing.

jayhawk6 says:Jul 9, 2013 9:17 AM

Except for the ten square feet of body tattoos, this could have been a photo of a lot of people.

Let’s face it – he’s the face of the franchise. He makes money off of the 9ers and the 9ers make money off of him. If I was involved with the 9ers organization/franchise, I’d be rather POd about his DB move in wearing a Dolphins hat. Let’s not forget that the franchise did rather well in 2012 with both CK and Alex Smith, so CK may want to be on check, because the 9ers are so good, he may just be replaceable.

After his performance last year against the Seahawks, at least he chose not to wear a Seattle hat.

What is swag? I’m not sure swag equates to having confidence. I could be wrong but as far as I can deduce swag is doing what a lot of other people do.

badburro says:Jul 9, 2013 9:33 AM

I’m not a football player. I have to pay for my own team gear. I’m a diehard Niners fan. There is no way in hell I would wear another team’s logo! Kap needs to realize he screwed up and apologize to the Niners fan base. Time to grow up Colin.

The 4.0 high school GPA is pretty amazing. His grammar is also pretty amazing.

bobzilla1001 says:Jul 9, 2013 9:43 AM

Kaepernick is a tattooed, gangsta-wannabe who thinks he’s the coolest person in the room. He’s going to wind up cooling himself right out of a league that is at a frazzle with hip-hop, tattooed freaks.

Not a big deal. Most 49er players have another favorite NFL Team. Apparently, when either Miami or Green Bay plays at a time the 49 ers are not playing most of the team goes over To Harbaugh’a place to cheer them on.

You do realize he scored a 37 on the wonderlic, same as golden boy Andrew Luck and better than Russell Wilson and RG3, right? So before you let grammar change your perception maybe you should look a little deeper.

harrisbarton says:Jul 9, 2013 10:27 AM

It’s probably true for every winning team, but there sure are a lot of readers out there who hate the 49ers.

As a 49er fan I can’t stand the Seahawks and their fans, but I certainly think Russell Wilson is a remarkably talented quarterback. I don’t get how so many commenters here feel obligated to include something about Kaepernick not being a very good quarterback. That’s just plain stupid.

annes22 says:Jul 9, 2013 10:28 AM

Everyone needs to calm down. It’s laughable how steamed up everyone is getting about this. Get over it, he can wear whatever the hell he wants on the 4th July in South Beach, it’s a vacation for god sake.
He’s not playing a football game on the beach.

As far as his grammar goes… he’s already shown his lack of intelligence by not just wearing a Dolphins hat, but posting a pic of himself on the internet wearing it where you know he’s going to take criticism… what else would you expect….

If he was the starting QB of an NCAA team, like say Alabama, and he was photographed wearing the hat of ANY other NCAA team he would be ripped to shreds in the media and by the public. As it stands, the media (mostly) gives him a free pass. And that is only because he had such a (mostly) successful year last season. (losing the Super Bowl is a failure, not a success though)

Wrong. It’s a big deal for any team. You don’t want Aaron Rodgers coming in with a Bears hat on. You don’t want Stafford showing up with a Packers hat on. It’s stupid.

This is not a 49ers hater thing or a ColinK hater thing. Any player doing it is stupid. Wear an MLB or a Miami Heat hat if you must, but not the hat of a competitor.

fdugrad says:Jul 9, 2013 10:53 AM

“It’s just swag it ain’t never hurt nobody!” I don’t even understand exactly what he is saying. Is he attempting to express the idea that it was simply a fashion choice of the day, and that people shouldn’t be offended, or take it so seriously? Why has he chosen to highlight his illustrated body at this time in the wake of the AH situation? If the selection of the Fins hat was an unwise choice, and THIS is his attempt to demonstrate contrition, or drive home the idea he understands the outrage, I believe he has failed miserably. If anything, his response, backed up by the photo reveals a poor decision process, immaturity and a large dose of hubris. I don’t care one way or the other, however if I were a 49er fan, I would not want THIS photo to be the face of the franchise, and I would also want my QB to be able to express himself without sounding like some kind of hood.

At least he didn’t “axe” us to forgive him.
Are inner cities on another continent ? They don’t speak the same as the country that I grew up in. But as long as you can throw a pass, catch or hit or dunk a ball, the English speaking challenged among us will continue to get a free pass.

49erstim says:Jul 9, 2013 10:59 AM

@greyhawk….#2 on the list of things Russell Wilson will never say: “I’m going to Disney Land!” Keep it classy losers. 😀

Seriously for a Throwback hat? At least this man is not wearing another teams jersey like Terrell Owens did. And the way he wrote his Instagram caption was to make people laugh.

bigalhebdman says:Jul 9, 2013 11:12 AM

Let’s face it, since there is an NFL DRAFT, most of the players do not actually play for the team they grew up rooting for, but the majority would have the forsight not to wear the other teams logos in public where they can be photographed. Colin had a momentary memory lapse in this age of internet and forgot how quickly stuff circulates and gets blown out of proportion. Hopefully he learns better.

it’s funny how much everyone on this site take football so seriously. calm down it’s just a hat. he didn’t murder anyone drink and drive or use PEDs. it’s also funny when people are saying “I’m glad he’s not my quarterback”. probably coming from a guy who’s a fan of a team that doesn’t reach the playoffs.

Hey 49ersrstim, you know why Russell would never say “I’m going to Disneyland??” Because after they win the superbowl this year he will be going straight to the FILMROOM!!! This is just another example of what I have been saying for a year now. CK is a total punk and any 49er who says its cool for that CLOWN to wear a dolphin hat and then claim “swag” is pure INSANITY!!! Simple truth…. THIS IDIOT CAN’T TIE RUSSELL’S SHOES!!! Period!!!

Nice Role model. Swag is using proper English and representing your franchise with dignity.

puntonfirstdown says:Jul 9, 2013 11:44 AM

In less than five years, the question will be:

“Whatever happened to Colin Kaepernick?”

steeeve718 says:Jul 9, 2013 11:48 AM

Cute tank top, Colin. My girlfriend has one just like it, except hers has “Baltimore Ravens, Super Bowl Champions” written on it.

shlort says:Jul 9, 2013 11:52 AM

Just wait until he flounders this season.

Kaepernick jumped off the bench to take a starting spot from Smith. Kaepernick knew he had to play above his own ability to keep the starting job because the precedent had been set by Smith’s benching in favor of Kaepernick himself. Now, there is no one on the bench behind Kaepernick and he will not be forced to play above his ability. Kaepernick is going to disappoint many a Niner fan this season.

A half a season doesn’t make a career in the NFL. The list is long of players that everyone thought were going to be the next great QB after a few good performances. Next season? Not so impressive. Don Majkowski and Derick Anderson are the most noteable.

This whole thing is one of the dumbest rants Ive ever heard. How many of these guys walk around with some form of New York Yankee hat on ALL OF THE TIME??? I NEVER see anyone call ANYBODY out for that. Its just stupidity….Kap had it right, these morons are bored.

ninerfan81 says:
Jul 9, 2013 8:02 AM
Remember folks, this is still a very young man…the hat thing is blown out of proportion. I will say this, If it were me I’d never wear another NFL team’s hat regardless of “swag”. Just as long as he doesnt take his talents to south beach I’ll get over it.
————————————————————–

Luck, Wilson, RG3 are all young too but they don’t act this way. The three I mentioned all have class and speak proper English. Kaepernick is nowhere close.

rick1k6 says:Jul 9, 2013 12:21 PM

Is the general public mad because he wore a Dolphins cap, or because he stood up and answered back?

49erstim says:Jul 9, 2013 12:35 PM

@liddog….. I actually respect Wilson a great deal, but the thought that dude doesn’t take a day off is laughable. Also “I’m going to Disney Land” is said while celebrating ON THE FIELD after you win the Super Bowl. Obviously as a Seahawks fan you don’t know that. 😉

This whole thing is one of the dumbest rants Ive ever heard. How many of these guys walk around with some form of New York Yankee hat on ALL OF THE TIME??? I NEVER see anyone call ANYBODY out for that. Its just stupidity….Kap had it right, these morons are bored.

—————

They can wear whatever baseball team’s cap they want. Not another NFL team though.

You guys haven’t won a superbowl in your LIFETIME!! Quit hanging on a history that is just that… HISTORY!!! And a 20 year history at that!!! All I know is the last time the two of them were on the “field” together one smoked the other one by 35 POINTS!!!

^^^THE DUMBEST THING IVE SEEN ON THIS POST!!!! A guy wearing a hat reminds you of a guy killing someone are you serious right now and the 83 people that liked that are high. And your judging him but like that comment please.

As a niners fan I think it’s really dumb what he did. Was his reaction immature? Sure it was. But I think it’s a gross overreaction that this occurance suddenly makes him a “chink in the armor” and that he’s too immature to be successful as an Nfl QB. He was as immature 6 months ago as he is now and he took the niners to the Superbowl as a first time starter. Can’t wait for the offseason to be over so we have real performances to all yell at each other about.

Side note: Does anyone else feel like use of the term “swag” should automatically result in the user being put into a rocket and launched into orbit? Or at least nut-kicked like 5 times in a row.

mookie311 says:Jul 9, 2013 1:15 PM

if colin kaepernick has always been a bicep-kissing, embarrassing-tattoo-getting, swag-preaching homie like these tweets and instagram (god bless it, i want to run for president so i can ban instagram by executive order) posts suggest, then it’s just a little worrisome and sad for him and for the 49ers.

but if he really is as smart as his momma and the wonderlic indicate, and this is all part of a put on to, i don’t know, make him look tough and hood and swagged out? that’s MORTIFYING for san fran, and quite pathetic for kaep. either way, the boy has some growing up to do.

Everyone talking about “if this were pepsi, he wouldnt wear coke” last i checked the nfl was one entire entity so this is like a member of the pepsi team, sporting a sierra mist cap…get over it lol and as far as his grammar.. why does he have he have to be politically correct on INSTAGRAM?? its not like he was writing a discertation..

People in Boston got all bent out of shape when Tom Brady was spotted wearing a NY Yankees cap.
I mean sure, he was only wearing a cap to help recover from a hair-plug procedure but still, the team on the cap matters a lot.

throw46 says:Jul 9, 2013 1:37 PM

Kaep is a smart guy on paper….wonderlic…..GPA…etc.
But he seriously has demonstrated that he’s got some deep psychological issues….maybe because he was adopted, maybe because he felt he was overlooked by BCS colleges…etc.

One thing you can be sure of that other teams are going to use this as a indication of how to get to him.
Being smart as he reportedly is, he should read the “Art of War” or
something….because you know they are looking for any weakness to attack.
Go 9ers!

Hey 49ersrstim, you know why Russell would never say “I’m going to Disneyland??” Because after they win the superbowl this year he will be going straight to the FILMROOM!!!

1. He may be in the film room, but it won’t be after the super bowl! It will be much earlier!
2. Maybe you’re unaware but CK took one week off after the super bowl and has been working his butt off since preparing for the upcoming season.
3. This is just another example of what I have been saying for a year now.
4. As a lifelong 9er fan (45 years this season) I could care less what a player wears during the off season it’s no big deal to me. But I also don’t hero worship, seek autographs, wear jerseys or relinquish my responsibility to athletes, politicians, entertainers to be role models for my children!
9ers Today~9ers Tomorrow~9ers Forever

wait, someone is actually making the case that its not like coke and pepsi. that the NFL is an “entire entity”

are you freaking kidding me man. these are 32 individually owned franchise’s. on their OWN payroll. they are in DIRECT COMPETITION WITH ONE ANOTHER!!!!

for all these comments about us being self righteous in questioning colin here, I have to turn the tables and question those who will defend ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING an athlete does that isn’t deemed illegal. sometimes, there is an unwritten code. this is one of those times.

This was not a big deal, but it does show he’s immature and unprofessional. The wannabe gangster talk on twitter doesn’t help either.

However, this stuff is not the reason I’d take Russell Wilson over Colin. Both guys will be superstars, but I’d take RW any day. They both make equally great plays with their feet but Wilson throws a better ball, exudes leadership, and is more cerebral.

Kaep will be very good, Wilson will be great. However I do think Colin has a slightly better team around him right now which levels the playing field.

Can’t wait for week 2!!

dstep24 says:Jul 9, 2013 2:32 PM

After hours of trying to figure out how to kiss his own face to calm the nerves brought on by the criticism, he settled for a triple thigh kiss and a snuggle with Teddy. now, he’s good as new.

49erstim says:Jul 9, 2013 3:36 PM

@liddogg….actually they won all 5 “in my lifetime” and that regular season win you keep spouting off about proves Seattle fans have a little brother mentality. Keep on hatin dummy. “We want the ball and we’re gonna score!” Lolz

Little brother mentality. Chuckle. That’s almost cute. Since the Seahawks joined the NFC West, we’ve won the division 7 times. San Fran? 2.

Real Seahawk fans who’ve been around a while still see the Rams as a bigger rivarly. Some history there. Isaac Bruce standing on his helmet on our field. Argh. Still gets my blood boiling.

49ers? Not so much. When I hear that name, I still think of Singletary dropping trou in the locker room, and I just laugh and laugh. Or I just reflect back on my trip to Candlestick last season, when the 49ers fans all sat there staring at their phones or stood out on the concourse watching the Giants playoff game. Saw more Giants gear than 49ers gear in San Fran that day. Man, you gotta at least back your team to get that big brother status, and you gotta win for longer than a few seconds. The Cardinals have more history than the 49ers since we joined the NFC West.

deltaoracle says:Jul 9, 2013 4:05 PM

Whatever else he may be, he’s certainly a very erudite and eloquent young man.

Note to all: because someone speaks in slang it does not mean that they are ignorant or a wanna be gangster!
Most of you are ragging on the twitter or instagram captions, but if you’ve ever heard him speak he handles himself very well!
Has anyone noticed that there hasn’t been any backlash from the organization or his teammates? It says a lot about how they feel, apparently it’s a non issue!

49erstim says:Jul 9, 2013 4:51 PM

@juliusanonymous……. lol…you can’t be serious. Even when Seattle was winning those division titles SF was beating them. As for your trip to Candlestick I can’t speak on that. I’m in my seat from opening kick to final buzzer. I’m that way at opposing stadiums as well.

seattlecoug says:Jul 9, 2013 5:54 PM

Even his SF hat is stupid. Is that cards and poker chips on the bill? God this guy is a douche – he might be the perfect 49er……

^^^THE DUMBEST THING IVE SEEN ON THIS POST!!!! A guy wearing a hat reminds you of a guy killing someone are you serious right now and the 83 people that liked that are high. And your judging him but like that comment please

I personally could give a rat’s ass less what hat Colin wears, although I think it’s poor judgment. What I don’t get is how, ummmmmm, how does one put this nicely, how ghetto Colin’s image is. I realize he is potentially a huge talent (or he might just be a flash in the pan once the rest of the league gets used to him and his playing style) but isn’t the face of a team like the Niners sort of important? He may be as nice as he can be but his image and his lack of ability to hold a conversation in an interview is pretty questionable. He also may be as smart as a whip but the few interviews I have heard with him are rather pathetic. He’s very Hernandesque. I don’t know but it seems like a team like the 49ers that have produced the likes of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young among others has a history of classy, fairly humble players and they have thrown that all away now.

Complaining about his tats, way he types and his fashion. I am not sure why any of the above has anything to do with his ability to play football or be a good teammate. Just because someone types/talks a certain way does not make them uneducated. Hes a great player on the field and I would advise you to research some of his charity work before assaulting the man’s character.